PROSTATE CANCER SCREENING AND “NOVEMBRO AZUL” CAMPAIGN: A POLICY IN DISCUSSION

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVIES: As activity of Family Medicine rotating trainee, this paper was created based on “Novembro Azul” campaign, approaching the discussion about prostate cancer screening. Objective: introduce and discuss with Family Health Strategy (FHS) team different techniques/politicians opinions about this campaign and evaluate its applicability and results. METHODS: Qualitative methodology based on experience report and literature review; debate on the proposal of “Novembro Azul” with the FHS team. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: It was satisfactory, while Family Medicine trainee, debate with the FHS team the approaching of the campaign and the current prostate cancer screening. According to SBMFC, it is necessary stimulate to take care of men´s health, but current studies shows that it mustn´t be done with PSA exam or digital rectal exam in asymptomatic people. According to the society, despite some benefits, the detriments of screening related to unnecessary biopsy, impact of false-positive results and squeal of treatment discourage this usage (SBMFC/2015). The “Novembro Azul” campaign, whose initial focus was stimulate this screening, supported by media and SBU, was revised by INCA-MS and SBMFC and they opted to not adopt it, because its current proposal, despite broadly address the health, still recommends the prostate cancer screening. This strategy is comprehensive, but the campaign, that stimulate this screening, used to be supported by government and stop spread it without explanations to users will generate information conflict. So the current decoupling shows the necessity of constant review of health action, especially regarding population screening, and explanation to users.